Dr. Harry F. "Mickey" HOKE Jr.

HOKE, Dr. Harry F. Jr. "Mickey," beloved husband of Catherine, died October 31, 2009 at the age of 76. Mickey was the only son of Nellie and Harry F. Hoke of Emporia, Virginia. He graduated from Hargrave Military Academy, Hampden-Sydney College, and the Medical College of Virginia. He returned to the Medical College of Virginia to complete a four-year residency and a fellowship in Pathology. He was a Captain in the United States Air Force serving as a flight surgeon. Dr. Hoke was a dedicated and caring physician who served the Richmond community for over 30 years, most of those years at Retreat Hospital. In addition to his love of medicine, Mickey was an avid tennis player and a lifelong golfer. At age 45, Mickey set his sites on the Boston Marathon. He began with the first Richmond Marathon in 1978 then qualified and ran the Boston Marathon at age 49. He was a wonderful storyteller with a keen wit. Mickey was a loyal and trusted friend and father providing sound counsel in times of need with sincerity, wisdom, and humor. Mickey and Cathy raised their four children in Richmond, Virginia creating many fond memories with friends and neighbors. They have happily spent their retirement in Vero Beach, Florida. Mickey is survived by his wife, Catherine; his children, Harry F. Hoke III "Chip" and his wife, Kathy, Michael Hoke and his wife, Mindy, Susan H. Gordon and her husband, John, Katie H. LaFiandra and her husband, Al; and 10 grandchildren, Jimmy, Michael, Harry, Susan, Kristin, Callahan, Madeleine, Kate, Jack and Tommy. A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Hampden-Sydney College, 637 College Road, Hampden-Sydney, Virginia 23943.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.